Donnelly's in Bearna

09/06/2025: Lovely and creative Irish dishes abound at Blackthorn. We dined on the stunning seafood options - excellent and elevated Fish and Chips with not to miss sides (gasp - the potato terrine - so delicious), delicate and delicious gambas, and a scallop starter that wowed. Unique wine offerings (a Greek white was summer in a glass) served in a statuesque Zwiesel glass and dessert that left us perfectly satiated on a chocolate cloud of happy. And the bread! Pillows of pull apart rolls! We also were enamored of the ceramic table wear and would have bought an entire set were it on offer. We had been dining out all weekend and by Sunday wanted something lighter but still culinarily creative - this was a perfect solution! Highly recommend!

25/05/2025: We had been in the West restaurant 7 years ago and that food experience left us very good memories. We have recently been in the revamped Blackthorn restaurant to celebrate a birthday and we were a bit deceived from the mains menu. Decor is great and staff is kind and welcoming. Fergal did take care of our 6 years old son taking his food order quickly and serving him first. Me and my husband had good starters. I did had tuna fish and It was really good. I had ordered a specific fish dish, which apparently was not available, I was informed so just few minutes before the starter was arriving. I had the chance to order another main, and as I preferred to continue with fish, I looked at the resting 3 fish mains options, they weren't what I was expecting in such a restaurant. I did in the end choose the fish and chips thinking it would be a gourmet version of the traditional dish. But it wasn't something special, I could eat same dish in the downstairs gastropub. There was just an odd addition of battered an deep fried sausages. My husband went for a kebab/brisket plate, he did find brisket really dry. Both dishes were served on hipster fast-food trays. On the rest of the menu there were quite popular options like cheeseburgers. And in fact at the close-by tables there was a group of American tourists, most of which ordered burgers. Although the quality of produce was good, I did find the menu of mains a bit too close to pub food, which is something I wouldn't expect from such a restaurant. It looks like the menu has been adapted to the American tourists' taste. That's a pity because I don't think I would go there a second time. Next time I will just go to the ground-floor gastropub. I guess this restaurant would be a good option for those that looks for a more privacy and a brighter environment then the pub. But if you've been to the West then I wouldn't recommend to go to Blackthorn.